Last weekend’s DStv Premiership action certainly didn’t disappoint in terms of entertainment. A total of 23 goals were scored as Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their spot at the top of the standings, beating AmaZulu 4-3 in Pretoria, while Orlando Pirates moved up to third spot with an emphatic comeback victory over SuperSport United.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
One of the biggest results of the weekend, though, saw Black Leopards beat Maritzburg United 1-0 in Limpopo, which proved to be the final straw for Eric Tinkler after he was dismissed in midweek. Football begins at Harry Gwala Stadium this weekend, so let’s see how the Team of Choice fare without him.
Standings provided by SofaScore LiveScore
Saturday 27 November
Maritzburg United 28/10
Draw 21/10
SuperSport United 1/1
Maritzburg United will be at Harry Gwala on a Friday night for the first time this season as they look to get their season back on track after a run of four consecutive defeats. Things just haven’t gone their way and they’ll be hoping to rectify their wrongs under new management.
SuperSport United suffered their second defeat in four league games when they surrendered their lead against Orlando Pirates to go down 2-1. That was also their second consecutive defeat after Matsatsantsa lost 1-0 in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final to Bloemfontein Celtic. I’m backing Maritzburg United to get their first point of the season with a draw here.
Saturday 28 November
TS Galaxy 14/10
Draw 2/1
Golden Arrows 2/1
TS Galaxy have looked extremely impressive in their opening four matches in the DStv Premiership. Results haven’t been forthcoming for the Rockets, but they’re still unbeaten in the league, winning one and drawing three times. Defensively, the centre-back pairing of Spiwe Msimango and Bevan Fransman have looked solid, while Ebrahim Seedat and Wensten van der Linde have been one of their standout players as well.
Golden Arrows have been excellent in front of goal and will look to put plenty of pressure on TS Galaxy’s backline. The Durbanites have scored seven times in their first four matches and remain unbeaten following their 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend. Once again, it looks like these sides could cancel each other out.
Orlando Pirates 7/10
Draw 5/2
Baroka FC 4/1
Orlando Pirates will have the opportunity of going on top of the log for a few hours when they host Baroka FC this Saturday. Josef Zinnbauer’s side have won back-to-back games in the DStv Premiership, while also beating Kaizer Chiefs twice during that period. This past weekend, they beat SuperSport United without Thembinkosi Lorch and Gabadinho Mhango, arguably two of their best attackers, proving their strength in depth this season.
Baroka FC started off the season brightly, but were shocking against Tshakhuma TM last weekend, losing 1-0 in a game they could have lost by an even bigger margin. Pirates should continue their superb run of form with a win at Orlando Stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns 11/20
Draw 26/10
Stellenbosch 5/1
Log leaders and three-time consecutive champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, have been superb this season. They’ve won three of their opening four matches, scoring nine goals, while Downs are also unbeaten this term. Against AmaZulu, Sundowns’ defensive frailties showed, conceding three times, although before that, they hadn’t conceded in their opening three matches, which makes you wonder if it was just a once-off.
The front trio of Themba Zwane, Kermit Erasmus and Peter Shalulile looks to be one of the finest forces in the division with ‘Mshishi’ grabbing his first hat-trick last weekend. Stellenbosch picked up their first win of the campaign, beating Chippa United, however, coming up against the league’s best may prove to be too tough of a task. Take Sundowns here at a decent price of 11/20.
AmaZulu 21/10
Draw 21/10
Cape Town City 13/10
AmaZulu will have plenty of positives to take with them after Usuthu lost 4-3 at Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend. Ayanda Dlamini’s side played some entertaining football at times and had it not been for a few costly errors, perhaps AmaZulu could have got more out of the game. Surprisingly, they’re priced up as outsiders in Durban, where they are unbeaten this season after holding Orlando Pirates to a draw and beating Black Leopards 2-0.
Cape Town City already have one win in KZN under their belt after beating Maritzburg United earlier this term, while Jan Olde Riekerink’s men emphatically beat Bloemfontein Celtic 4-2 last time out. Both teams certainly know how to entertain, but in terms of picking a result, I fancy AmaZulu on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 5/10.
Sunday 29 November
Chippa United 33/20
Draw 2/1
Tshakhuma TM 33/20
Chippa United were really disappointing in their last game against Stellenbosch, going down 2-0 in the Western Cape. That defeat came just when things were starting to look good for the Chilli Boys. Tshakhuma TM moved up a few places on the log standings with their first win of the DStv Premiership coming against Baroka FC in a Limpopo derby.
TTM looked much better and perhaps their team is beginning to click. Rhulani Manzini missed from the penalty spot, while they also had a legitimate goal disallowed due to some foul refereeing from the officials. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I fancy TTM out of the two sides. Back the visitors here!
TREBLE @ 6/1
Orlando
Pirates Win 7/10
Sundowns Win 11/20
Tshakhuma TM Win 33/20
Written by Jesse Nagel
